Hyperboloid Light Amplifier for Diffuse Ambient Light Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light amplification technologies are inefficient under diffuse or overcast conditions and rely heavily on directional light, limiting their ability to function as effective safety lights or backlights, and they do not optimize the use of ambient light from all angles.
Innovation Solution
An internally reflecting hyperboloid housing a luminescent or fluorescent body member positioned between tapered sections, with optimally placed reflectors that allow a two-way flow of radiant energy, enabling efficient light amplification from all directions without the need for directional light sources, and the use of materials that promote photon activity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If directional light sources are used for light amplification, then light intensity can be concentrated in a specific direction, but the system becomes ineffective under diffuse or overcast conditions and cannot utilize ambient light from all angles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from unidirectional light collection to bidirectional light collection by positioning luminescent body members at both ends of the light pipe, allowing the system to capture ambient light from multiple directions simultaneously, thereby maintaining effectiveness under diffuse lighting conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The light pipe structure is designed to perform multiple functions: it can transmit directional light when available, collect diffuse ambient light from all angles when direct light is obscured, and provide continuous light amplification under various lighting conditions without requiring active tracking mechanisms
2Productivity
If sun tracking modules are used to follow directional light, then light collection efficiency is maximized, but the device complexity increases and the system fails to utilize ambient light from all directions
Solution Approach 1:
The system eliminates the need for active tracking mechanisms by allowing ambient light to enter the light pipe from all directions simultaneously through its translucent sides, with luminescent body members positioned to capture and amplify light regardless of its direction of origin
Solution Approach 2:
The light pipe employs curved or cylindrical geometry with translucent sides that allow omnidirectional light entry, replacing complex mechanical tracking systems with a passive geometric structure that naturally captures light from all angles
3Device complexity
If luminescent material is positioned to receive light from one direction only, then the structure is simpler, but light amplification efficiency is reduced under diffuse conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The light pipe is divided into multiple sections with luminescent body members positioned at both ends and potentially at intermediate points, allowing each segment to independently capture and amplify light from its respective direction, collectively providing enhanced amplification under diffuse conditions
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances light amplification efficiency, allowing for bi-directional or multi-directional light emission, even in unfavorable conditions, and reduces energy consumption by harnessing ambient light, making it suitable for safety and decorative applications without the need for batteries or diodes.
Implementation Method 1
enhance fluorescence and luminescence ability in fluorescent or luminescent material
Implementation Method 2
enhance fluorescence and luminescence ability in fluorescent or luminescent material
Implementation Method 3
Favourably positioned reflectors, supply optimally placed luminescent material with concentrated light from all angles of approach
Data Source
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AI summary
A general purpose energy saving light amplification unit suitable as a lantern, guide light, background light, safety light, ornament or decorative object, said unit adapted to harness external surrounding ambient light, or other remote energy sources from at least two directions, employing a plurality of reflector members to receive and concentrate energy in in order to luminesce or fluoresce an optimally placed mutually shared luminescent or fluorescent body member, lodged in a tapered or convergent section of a hyperbola or between at least two juxstaposed reflectors, stimulating photon and electron activity resulting in maximum amount of transmitted visible light from at least two directions, irrespective of receptive direction or angle of origin of light source.